On April 17th, Tough Leaf, the National Association of Women in Construction Greater New York Chapter (NAWIC GNY), and the Queens Chamber of Commerce collaborated to host Building Inclusivity 2024: A Construction Industry DEI Summit. This dynamic half-day event brought together DEI leaders in the construction industry for engaging panel discussions and interactive workshops, on fostering a more inclusive environment on job sites and in offices. Let's delve into some key takeaways from this insightful gathering.
Creating Opportunities
The opening panel, moderated by Jessica Mora of NAWIC GNY, featured Wayne Lambert, Director of Supplier Diversity at Turner & Townsend, Wissam Akra, Founder & CEO of Tough Leaf, and Carlos Bannister, Deputy Chief Contracting Officer at NYC DOT.
Carlos Bannister highlighted the pivotal role of leadership in driving DEI efforts, sharing insights on NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez's commitment to prioritizing Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) during senior staff meetings. “...he holds me accountable,” Carlos explained, “and asks ‘What are we doing to move the needle?’ This commitment fosters accountability, pushing for tangible progress. Wayne Lambert agreed, emphasizing Turner & Townsend's proactive approach to DEI through actionable strategies such as gender pay equity, employee surveys, and leadership engagement. Importantly, leadership's active involvement sets the tone for the organization, cascading the importance of DEI throughout all levels.
Wissam Akra asserted that his team at Tough Leaf actively chooses which general contractors we partner with, noting that they can’t just check the box. "If a general contractor really wants to have a successful diversity and inclusion initiative, it has to come from the top,” he said. “Our clients request that we find and engage with diverse businesses. They are looking for a partnership that is beneficial to everyone involved.”
Experience and Insight
Neah Brooks, Head of Sales at Tough Leaf, moderated a panel exploring the experiences of diverse business owners and subcontractors, featuring voices such as Ingrid Boney, Founder of RHVL Corp., and Shii-Anna Mudie, of Resolument Vert Solutions.
The lively panel highlighted positive experiences - and areas that could be improved - in fostering inclusive environments, where diverse talents are valued and supported. Shii-Anna shared an example where the contributions of both introverts and extroverts were recognized equally on one of her teams.
Ingrid Boney emphasized the necessity of establishing mutually supportive partnerships between subcontractors and general contractors, underscoring the significance of trust and collaboration in driving meaningful relationships. “We're working as a team for our own good and the success of the project, “she said. “There should be mutual support of that effort and working with each other to build meaningful and trustworthy relationships. Sounding the alert when an estimate presented to them is too low and impossible to be fulfilled is one way of establishing this trust.”
"Diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance."
Community Impact
In the final session, Shaunna Randolph, Head of Business Development at Tough Leaf, led an insightful discussion with Janice Haughton, Director of Community & Citizenship for Turner, and Kimberley Scott, Social Value & Equity Consultant at Jacobs, about how the DEI initiatives of construction companies impact surrounding communities.
During this insightful conversation, these DEI leaders emphasized strategies like being proactive listeners when entering underserved communities, partnering with local organizations, celebrating small wins, and thinking creatively about volunteer initiatives companies can undertake with modest time and resources.
Janice Haughton delivered the gem of the session; "Diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance."
NAWIC GNY deserves commendation for orchestrating an impactful event that galvanized industry voices toward action on DEI. The conversations underscored that an inclusive construction workforce is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for addressing talent needs. As we strive for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive construction industry, we lay the foundation for a stronger built environment that serves all communities.
Construction professionals, let's build a culture of inclusion and empowerment within our industry. Together, we can construct a future where every voice is heard and every individual is valued.